Chief Minister Bhupesh said that Congress Government’s development policies have helped to reduce Naxal incidents in Bastar region.

Talking to mediapersons at Circuit House Jagdalpur on Friday, Chief Minister Baghel said that Bastar is now changing and Naxal incidents are declining due to the welfare policies of the State Government. Asked on the State Government’s plan over combating Naxalism in the State, Baghel said that that earlier, the people of Bastar region were far away from the schemes and programme of the district administration.

Baghel revealed that on the suggestions of the Naxal victims, the Congress Government has expedited development works in the State. “I did not believe that the State Government’s new strategies would have helped to reduce Naxal incidents. Now the local people are getting the benefits of the schemes of the State Government that resulted in reduction in Naxal incidents in the State. And now there is no need to open fire. Bullet is not the answer to bullet. Now people are getting employment and benefits of basic schemes,” Baghel pointed.

“Now the Congress Government is reaching to the common people. Employment is being generated for people. The State Government is continuously working to provide education, health and employment. Rural economy is being promoted. Lands acquired by Tata were returned to tribals. New schools, anganwadi centres, health centres and colleges are being opened in Bastar region. To solve the Naxal problem, the trust of the common people is as important. The Congress Government has won the trust of the people in Bastar region,” he added.

The Chief Minister shared that during his ‘Bhent Mulakat’ programme, the major demands in Bastar are for banks and schools. He said that the collector should monitor the works of Narva, even if they are in forest areas. The real

owners of land and forests are tribal the responsibility of the forest department is to work as a manager to protect the

forests of State.

Earlier, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel held a review meeting with officers at the Circuit House. Baghel asked the officials to focus on work of drain as farming time is approaching. Water is needed by everyone, if there is a shortage of water, animals move to cities and birds migrate, he added. Baghel said that there has been a tremendous increase in the income of the people. The people of the State are reaping the benefits of the Congress Government’s policies. The attraction towards agriculture has increased, so the need for water has increased, he added.

Industry Minister Kawasi Lakhma, Bastar Lok Sabha Member Deepak Baij, Parliamentary Secretary Rekhchand Jain, Bastar Development Authority Chairman Lakheshwar Baghel, MLA Rajman Benjam, Secretary to Chief Minister Siddharth Komal Singh Pardeshi and other officers were present.